Golden Circle Tour & Lava Tunnel

by Your Friend in Reykjavik · Lava caves · Volcanoes & lava · Airport transfers · Golden Circle

  • Luxury
  • Works in the rain
  • Eco-certified
  • Skip the queue
  • Can be tailored

from €1,852 for up to 2

Next departure: Thu 22 Oct

  • Duration

    10 hours

  • Difficulty

    Easy

  • Season

    All year

  • Starts in

    Reykjavík

  • Pickup

    Hotel pickup included

  • Guide

    Guided in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish

  • Departs

    09:00

  • Cancellation

    Free until 24 hours before

About this experience

Join us on a private, bespoke Golden Circle tour in a luxury vehicle.

The Golden Circle includes some of Iceland's most stunningly beautiful and historically rich sights, located conveniently close to the capital area. Our customized tour is centered on the traditional Golden Circle, with the iconic Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall as the primary stops. Each of these locations offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and geology.

In addition to these main attractions, our tour includes a stop at The Lava Tunnel, an extraordinary lava cave formed thousands of years ago by volcanic activity. Walking through the tunnel reveals mesmerizing rock formations, vibrant colors, and a chance to learn about Iceland’s volcanic history firsthand.

Golden Circle Main Stops:

  1. Þingvellir National Park
    This UNESCO World Heritage Site is where the Alþingi, the world’s oldest Parliament, was founded in 930 AD. The park is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, one of the few places in the world where you can see the tectonic rift between the North American and Eurasian plates. Here, you can walk through the dramatic Almannagjá rift, explore the site of the ancient parliament, admire the beautiful Öxaráfoss waterfall, and take in the incredible surroundings, including Þingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake.
  2. Gullfoss Waterfall
    Known for its powerful beauty, Gullfoss is a multi-tiered waterfall that plunges into a 64-meter-deep canyon. The falls are awe-inspiring and were once nearly harnessed for hydroelectric power until conservation efforts saved them. Gullfoss offers a fantastic view and the chance to witness the raw power of Icelandic nature.
  3. Geysir Geothermal Area
    The Geysir area, which inspired the term “geyser,” is home to the erupting hot spring Strokkur, which bursts forth every few minutes, reaching heights of up to 30 meters. Though the original Geysir is largely dormant, Strokkur provides a thrilling show, with its boiling water and geothermal activity.
  4. Kerið Crater Lake
    South of Gullfoss and Geysir lies this striking volcanic crater lake with its red volcanic rock contrasting with the turquoise lake water. Kerið is a remarkable site formed around 3,000 years ago, making it a favorite photo spot and an impressive reminder of Iceland’s volcanic origins.
  5. The Lava Tunnel
    Explore the vast lava tunnel of Raufarhólshellir, a 1,360-meter-long tunnel created by volcanic lava flow. Guided walks through the tunnel reveal fascinating rock formations, colors, and details of the island’s volcanic activity. It’s an unmissable experience that gives you a true sense of Iceland’s geological history.

Optional Stops for a Customized Experience (additional fees apply):

  • Snorkeling in Silfra
    Dive between the continents in crystal-clear glacial water at the Silfra fissure in Þingvellir, offering visibility over 100 meters. This unique experience includes dry suits for comfort in the near-freezing water.
  • Additional Adventures
    Other activities, such as glacier hiking, snowmobiling, and extended excursions, can be added to your Golden Circle experience upon request.

We are happy to adjust this tour to your preferences. For more information or to customize your experience, please get in touch with us at info@yourfriendinreykjavik.com.

Description from the operator, Your Friend in Reykjavik. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

  1. Hotel Pick-Up
  2. Þingvellir National Park
  3. Gullfoss Waterfall
  4. Geysir Geothermal Area
  5. Kerið Crater Lake
  6. The Lava Tunnel
  7. Friðheimar Tomato Farm
  8. End of Tour

Included

  • This tour includes, expert guide, comfortable car, gasoline, and more

Not included

  • Tips are welcome in Iceland if you feel the tour is of good quality but not a requirement

Good to know

  • Please dress according to the weather, in Iceland that means be prepared for any kind of weather. :). 


Cancellation for this tour

Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

If the weather cancels this tour

Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is wind on the ridge or a change in eruption activity — civil protection decides, not the operator. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

  1. 1Your Friend in Reykjavik decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
  2. 2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
  3. 3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.

What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Why this one and not the cheaper one?

The nearest cheaper Black & Blue - Lava Tunnel + Silfra Snorkeling from Arctic Adventures is €165 — €1687 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.

Your Friend in Reykjavik · €1852Arctic Adventures · €165
How long it runs10 hours5 hours
Getting therePicks you upYou make your own way
How hard it isEasyModerate

The €1687 buys you 5 more hours out and hotel pickup. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.

Who this is not for

  • Priced per vehicle, so it is poor value for one or two people and good value for four or more sharing.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

Your Friend in Reykjavik is one of 204 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about Your Friend in Reykjavik

Read all 1,779 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.9/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

  • Sanket Das

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    Your Friend in Reykjavik is the best tour company in Reykjavik . I took Walk with a Viking Tour , Snaefellsnes Peninsula day tour and 6 days around Iceland Adventure tour . I spent 8 Nights in Iceland . I stayed 2 nights at Hotel Reykjavik Grand , 1 night at Hotel Geirland , 1 night at Hotel Hofn , 1 night at Wilderness Center , 1 night at Akureyri Berjaya Iceland Hotels , 1 night at Hotel Laugarbakki , 1 night at Hotel Keflavik . It was an amazing tour . My experience in Iceland was magical and heavenly . I also visited Blue Lagoon and it was a nice experience. I enjoyed my every second in Iceland . Iceland is one of the most beautiful country on our planet . I would keep visiting Iceland in the future . Thank you for making my Iceland journey special and memorable .

  • Wendy Uhlig

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    We had a great time on our Iceland Folklore tour. Our guide was Einar. He was a fantastic storyteller!! Hidden people/elves, trolls and ghost stories - and a lot of Icelandic history. Thank you Einar!!

  • Nanci Ritter

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    Petra was an incredible guide. We asked her to show us as much as she could before taking our crazy family of 10 to the airport for our flights to three different cities ! First stop was the beautiful church in downtown Reykjavik that had just opened with an organ recital. Next stop a lovely spot and observation sight overlooking the city by the Pearl. Cold and wet she found us a lovely coffee shop with the best pastries for a welcome mid morning rest next to the sea. Back in the van we drove for a bit before having the opportunity to explore a geothermal field on our way to the airport. A perfect day and ending to our time in Iceland. Petra shared alot of history and information from the perspective of a local which we all appreciated and enjoyed!

  • Vincent Damas

    ★★★★★ · 4 months ago

    Nice walking trip in Reykjavik city centre with our local guide Hrafn, very friendly and knowledgeable. A good introduction to Iceland on the very first day of our 2 weeks road-trip around the island 👍

Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026

Read before you book

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Lava caves — questions people ask

Which lava cave near Reykjavík is the easiest to visit?

Raufarhólshellir, sold as The Lava Tunnel, thirty minutes east of the city. It has a lit walkway and a one-hour guided walk (/experience/32545/ meet on location, or /experience/222055/ with pickup), so no crawling and no head torches. It runs all year. Viðgelmir in West Iceland is longer and quieter, an hour and a half away, and Leiðarendi is a proper caving trip with helmets and scrambling.

What is the difference between a lava cave and an ice cave?

A lava cave is a tunnel left when a lava flow drained out thousands of years ago; it is rock, permanent and open all year. An ice cave is a meltwater tunnel in a glacier, usually only safe November to March, and rebuilt by nature every year. Lava caves show colours in the rock, ice stalactites in winter and total darkness. Ice caves show blue light. If you are here in summer and someone offers a natural ice cave, ask which one.

Is lava caving suitable for children and older people?

The Lava Tunnel, yes. The main walk is on a flat walkway with lights and handrails, and children of most ages manage it. Viðgelmir has a good path too. Leiðarendi and the caving combos (/experience/268/) involve crouching, uneven floors and some scrambling, so the operator sets a minimum age; check the tour page. Anyone with a bad back or knees should stick to the walkway caves.

What do I wear in a lava cave?

It is around zero to four degrees inside, whatever the weather outside, and floors drip. Wear a warm jacket, closed shoes with grip and long trousers. The operator provides a helmet with a head torch where needed. For caving trips, wear clothes you do not mind scraping on rock; gloves help. The Lava Tunnel is easier on clothing, but it is still a cold, wet cave, not a museum.

Hotels

Where to stay for this tour

From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Reykjavík, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.

All hotels in Reykjavík →
  • One checkout, any number of operators

  • Rankings are not for sale

  • 203 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted

  • If it falls short, we fix it

Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.

Simply Iceland

Private golden circle tour

from €1,464 per vehicle4.90· 64 Google reviews of the operator

pickup included

8 h · from Reykjavík

  • No free cancellation
  • Book the night before
  • Private
Check dates

from

€1,852 for up to 2

Book Thu 22 Oct · €1,852 the vehicle